Resources for Study, Reflection and Prayer in the Vision of A New Agape

The Anglican Church of Canada is committed to a new relationship with the indigenous (or aboriginal) Peoples of Canada. This new relationship is based on a partnership which focuses on the cultural, spiritual, social, and economic independence of Indigenous communities. To give expression to this new relationship the Anglican Church of Canada will work primarily with the Indigenous peoples for a truly Anglican indigenous church in Canada. It is an important step in the overall quest for self-governance.

From: A New Agape: Plan of Anglican Work in Support of a New Partnership between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Anglicans.  Complete text: http://www.anglican.ca/about/ccc/acip/a-new-agape/

• The Anglican Church is committed to the concept of Self-Determination of Indigenous peoples in all aspects of their lives.
• Wholeness for people and communities requires that we restore the circle of life as embodied in the Covenant, with its emphasis on self-determination.
• New relationships will happen only in a context in which honest efforts are being made to eradicate lingering social injustices.
• Efforts to heal the wounds caused to individuals and communities by the residential schools experience must be designed and led by Indigenous Peoples.
• Healing of our relationships is done locally, person by person, community by community.
• A new relationship involves Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities working together to create a new partnership, A New Agape.

Goal Area I: Self-Determination

Gifts of the East: Beginnings. In many indigenous traditions, the colour of the East is yellow, for the rising sun, new life, spring, birth and infancy, and beginnings of all kinds, including new beginnings. Traditionally, offerings of gratitude are given at each sunrise to the Creator in thanksgiving for allowing us to see another new day.

Hymns: Many and great, O God, are your works (Common Praise #407);  Now there is no male or female (CP #36)

Reflect: on the gift of new beginnings, a gift from God the Creator whose love is at the heart of all Covenants. What is the new beginning that is opening up for us in this moment of discernment and decision-making as we consider the possibilities inherent in an agreement with the Federal Government on settlement of residential schools claims for abuse? What are the new beginnings that open up for non-indigenous Anglicans as we walk in partnership with the Indigenous Covenant?

Prayer:

Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people,
journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided to help one another to grow
into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life.
Amen.

The Anglican Indigenous Covenant Collect

Goal Area II: Justice

Gifts of the South: The colour of the South is either red or black, depending upon local practice. In either case, it symbolizes the growth and creative time of summer and youth, when things come into full bloom: bodies, fruits, the heart. Because of the rapid pace of growth, it is also a time of struggle.

Hymn Suggestions: Praise the One who breaks the darkness (CP #397); Will you come and follow me (The Summons) (CP# 430); Let streams of living justice (CP #575)

Reflect: What risks did Jesus take in his proclamation at Nazareth? How was the proclamation new good news? Why was it received as threatening? Think about the gifts that we experience in the struggle for growth in relationship and in community, and in the difficult-and-joyous work for justice. In a time when we face pressure for rapid change and important decision-making, how is it that Jesus calls us to centre ourselves in the context of these struggles?

Prayer:

Gracious God,
your Word spoken through the Prophets
became the Voice that proclaimed
your justice and healing in Nazareth.
Through Jesus you invite all creation
into your reconciling love.
As you freed his followers
from their fear of the risks of discipleship,
so move within us, in your love,
with the strength, compassion and courage
to give of ourselves in the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us
through Jesus Christ, your Son, Amen.

Goal Area III: Healing

Gifts of the West: The colour of the West is either the red of the setting sun or the black of darkness, depending upon local practice. In either case, it symbolizes a time of maturation and all the lessons from introspection and responsibility that come with this time.

Hymn Suggestions: O Healing River (CP #578), We Cannot Measure How You Heal (CP# 292); Wind Upon the Waters (CP #408)

Reflect: When we speak of the healing of relationships between indigenous and newcomer peoples, what are the needs that non-indigenous people have for healing? What is Thomas’ need? What gifts need to be embraced in order for healing to take root and grow in persons and communities; what needs to be given up in order for this to happen?

Prayer:

Merciful God, you have searched us out and known us:
the hopes we hold and regrets that cling to us,
the hurts we absorb and ferment;
the tears we both cause and shed.
We stand before you: all that we have been
and all that we are,
knowing that only in you are we truly known
as the ones you would have us be.
Guide us inward to face our selves and each other,
within the forgiveness of your love,
that we might joyfully welcome the gifts and challenges
that the new creation of your salvation brings.
Through Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns
With you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Goal Area IV: Historical Reparation

Gifts of the North: The colour of the North is white, for winter, elders, and the beauty of the blanket of snow that covers the land. This is the direction of completion, where the minds’ accumulated knowledge blossoms into wisdom, when lessons learned from our pasts move us into commitment to action.

Hymn Suggestions: When God restored our common life (CP# 583);  Lord, whose love in humble service (CP# 585); Once to every man and nation (Once, to all and every nation) (CP# 587)

Reflect: What is our ministry of reconciliation right now, here in this place, this time, this community? What needs to happen in order that our eyes might be opened to see the beginnings of a new creation in our midst?

Prayer:

Loving God, Creator of all, maker and redeemer of history,
you hold the pains and joys of our past, our present, our future;
you open us to the gifts of time
and to the possibilities of new beginnings,
You grant us the confidence to face our sin and loss with hope.
Breathe in us the grace to trust in your loving forgiveness,
that we may face our histories with courage.
Guide us by your Holy Spirit in our walk of repentance,
as we turn to embrace the new life you have given to us,
through Jesus Christ, your Son, Amen.

Links:

• Resources for Study, Reflection and Prayer in the Vision of A New Agape
• Resources for Study, Reflection and Prayer in the Vision of A New Agape